“We started aggressive (to win the first set), but our serves failed in the second set making it easier for the Dominicans to score; they have more experience and are more clever,” said Canada’s coach Arnd Ludwig. “I really had no expectations about today’s outcome, we wanted to play well.”

The Dominicans held a huge advantage in spikes 51-35, while Canada had a 13-12 margin in blocks and 2-1 in aces. The Dominicans scored on 29 errors of Canada but gave away 38 points from their errors.

Outside Hitter Brayelin Martinez scored 22 points, 18 on kills and four on blocks to lead Dominican Republic into the final, and Yonkaira Peña contributed 13 points. Canada’s top scorer was opposite Tabitha Love with 14 points, followed by Dana Cranston with 11 points and Rebecca Pavan with 10 points.

Canada’s team captain, Brittney Page, said: “our blocking executed well in the first set, after that we had ups and downs – we needed to make better choices while spiking; we were too inconsistent.”